Today marks another important point in the battle against the dreaded virus: CM
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: As part of the nationwide rollout of COVID vaccination for the 15-18 year age group, in Assam more than 72,000 teens were administered the COVID vaccine on Monday. The highest number of vaccines in this age group was administered in Barpeta district and the lowest number in Karbi Anglong.
In Barpeta, total 5,854 teens got their first shot of the vaccine; in Bongaigaon the number was 5,168; in Kamrup district 4,370; in Nagaon 3,945; in Dhubri 3,827; in Morigaon 3,332; and in Kamrup (metro) 1,477. Till 6 pm, in Karbi Anglong only two teens had been administered the vaccine. In Assam, the total target of the vaccination drive in this age group is 20 lakh.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the drive today at Oil
India HS School at Duliajan in Dibrugarh. Total 405 eligible school students will be provided with the jabs in the camp organized by the Dibrugarh district administration and District Health Society, Dibrugarh, in association with Oil India Limited.
Speaking at the programme, Chief Minister Sarma said, "Today marks another important point in the long battle against the dreaded virus." He remarked that level of infection and fatality among the fully vaccinated people is less. Therefore, the State government is striving towards bringing all eligible people in the State under the ambit of vaccination.
"We are going to start rolling out a precautionary third dose of COVID vaccine for the frontline workers from January 10. Similarly, all senior citizens having co-morbidity and who have completed 9 months from their second dose, will also get the third dose from January 10," he said.
On the other hand, State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta launched the drive in Kamrup (metro) district at Gopal Boro High School. Speaking on the occasion, Mahanta said, "The government has followed the advice of scientists while launching vaccination drives for different age groups at different times. This vaccination drive for teens in the 15-18 year age group will be carried out in around 500 centres established in various educational institutions."
He further said, "The COVID vaccine is being administered to boost immunity. It has no side effects. So I appeal to parents to encourage their children in this age group to come forward for vaccination without any fear or apprehension."
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